Friday, February 24, 2017

Interview: Delia Latham, author of Spring Raine

Now here's what's in it for you, well one of you: She's agreed to give away one copy of her book to the winner of the book giveaway contest! Details are available at the end of this blog post.

Enjoy the interview!

~*~Interview with Delia Latham, author of Spring Raine:

Alexis: This book is the first installment in your Paradise Pines series. Tell us about this new series of yours. What makes it special?

Delia: The series is special to me for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the location. Cambria, California is a favorite getaway spot for my husband and me. A dear friend of ours owns a vacation home there, and gives us access to it whenever possible. Susan’s home has become “ours” in a manner of speaking. We love it…and we love the little village. Situated on California’s Central Coast, Cambria is a lovely seaside community, blessed with many talented artisans, lots of wonderful little shops and boutiques, numerous possibilities for activities and touring—it’s a perfect vacation area that displays God’s awesome creativity in every direction.

Aside from the location, the series is filled with romance, interesting characters, realistic life situation…and a few otherworldly ones. What’s not to love?

Alexis: Raine Presley is your heroine. Describe her personality, character flaws and heart.

Delia: Raine is a kind-hearted, intelligent young woman who has spent twenty-plus years in meek submission to her parents’ “Plan” for her life. She’s never resented their unrelenting rigidity of mind, and their efforts to fit her into their idea of who she should be and what she should become. But now, with university behind her, preparing to step into a demanding job in forensic science, Raine longs for a break from the constant intensity and scrutiny before diving into her future. So she visits Cambria, and her life will never be the same again. She’s a strong woman, but family circumstances have molded her into something of a people pleaser, dependent on others to make decisions for her. She simply goes along with the consensus. But once in Cambria, away from old influences and routines, God is free to work some changes in Raine, and set her on a brand new path.

Alexis: Why does Raine feel that she needs a “wild and crazy” adventure before starting work in forensic science?

Delia: Raine’s idea of “wild and crazy” is tame, compared to most. Because she’s always been so sheltered, even cloistered, just doing something without her parents is “wild and crazy.” Raine just wants some time alone, to have a bit of fun, make her own choices and do as she pleases for a short time before starting her new career—a career that will require far more than simply long hours and ‘satisfactory’ performance.

Alexis: Why does she choose Cambria, California as the setting for her adventure?

Delia: A random choice that turns out to be a God thing.

Alexis: Why do Raine’s parents disapprove of her new adventure?

Delia: They think she should be preparing for her new job. Studying, learning more about her position. Submerging herself in forensic science. They’re also upset that she is temporarily depriving them of the ability to oversee her actions and decisions.

Alexis: What is it about the Paradise Pines Lodge that moves Raine into her destiny?

Delia: Miss Angie is a large part of what makes the lodge life-changing and unforgettable. There’s something divine about the woman, and that ‘aura’ expands to include the entire Paradise Pines property. Wherever Raine wanders, God seems to have something waiting to move her a little further into His plan. And Miss Angie has a way of gently guiding folks into the right place at the right time to make those things happen.

Delia: Ahhh…Declan! Think Eric Dane…the man is beyond handsome. Dark blond hair, blue-gray eyes, a strong jaw. Muscled torso. Besides being easy on the eyes though, Declan is a good, honest man. He’s on the verge of a success he’s worked hard to achieve…and then Raine bursts into his world—literally. Their first encounter is anything but romantic, and it soon becomes clear that he’ll have to spend far more time with Miss Angie’s new guest than he wants to. But he does it, because he’s made a promise to someone who matters, and Dec is a man of his word.

Alexis: What is Declan’s career?

Delia: He’s a wood artist, and his carvings are becoming increasingly popular.

Alexis: Why does Declan feel that he needs to babysit Raine? Isn’t she a grown adult?

Delia: She is a grown woman, though unusually naïve in some ways—a result of having been over-protected and controlled throughout her life. Even now, in her belated attempt at some kind of freedom, Raine’s parents have secretly arranged someone to watch over her in their absence. Thanks to a promise made by his father, the role falls to Dec, who reluctantly agrees, under the impression Raine is a teenager.

Alexis: It looks like Raine is the unexpected answer to Declan’s prayers. Why is it that Declan wasn’t expecting this type of blessing?

Delia: Dec is focused on getting his career up and going. He likes being a bachelor, and has given very little serious thought to women, and none at all to an actual commitment-type relationship.

Alexis: Who is Miss Angelina Love and how does she impact Raine and Declan’s love story?

Delia: Miss Angie is something of a mystery. She has a way of knowing a person’s heart. Her knowledge of Scripture is outstanding, and she loves to quote from the Bible…always having the perfect scriptural response to any given situation. But where she came from, and exactly what her role is at the lodge, is something the readers will need to determine for themselves.

Alexis: What was your greatest challenge—and your most celebrated victory—while writing this story?

Delia: Would breaking my kneecap in half be counted as a challenge? LOL. We moved to Texas just as I started on this book. While we were moving into our new home, I fell on the driveway and split my kneecap squarely in half. Had to have surgery, and was in intense pain for many weeks. Trying to write through all of that was one of the greatest writing challenges I’ve ever experienced. The greatest victory was when God broke the creative wall that erected itself about midway through the storyline. For a while, I wondered if I’d find myself in breach of contract on this one.

Alexis: If you stepped into Declan’s story to counsel him about Raine, what would you say?

Delia: The truth will set you…and Raine…free.

Alexis: What do you want your readers to remember most about this book? Why?

Delia: I hope they’ll see the need to submit themselves, like the caterpillar must, to God’s chrysalis, knowing they’ll emerge a brand new creature—changed, perfect, beautiful and free to soar.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Delia! Do you have any closing comments?

Delia: Thank you, Alexis, for inviting me to visit your blog! I enjoyed the interview, and I hope your readers do, as well. I’d like to share with them the following verse that speaks to our beautiful new lives after emergence from God’s chrysalis: 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

~*~

Blurb for Spring Raine, Paradise Pines series, Book 1: An uncharacteristic, last-minute decision to do something "wild and crazy" before entering the stressful world of forensic science sends Raine Presley to Cambria, California. Against a cloud of disapproval from her slightly manipulative, over-protective parents, she signs a seasonal lease at the beautiful Paradise Pines Lodge...and winds up over her head in life and love.

Declan Keller's just minding his own business—literally—when Raine drops into his world and turns it upside down. He's far too busy carving beautiful shapes out of chunks of wood to be babysitting a gal from Pasadena. Even so, his father’s promise to an old friend obligates him, despite a looming deadline that could make or break his career in the art world. He’s praying for anything but Raine when she comes along.

Neither Declan nor Raine is prepared for the seemingly divine influence of Paradise Pines—and Miss Angelina Love. A mysterious lady who may or may not own the lodge, Miss Angie possesses an amazing talent for mending ruffled feathers, spouting proverbs, and somehow bending even the most determined of hearts to the power of love.

Writing Heaven’s touch into earthly tales, Delia Latham puts her characters through the fire of earthly trials to bring them out victorious by the hand of God, His heavenly messengers, and good, old-fashioned love. You’ll always find a touch of the divine in this author’s sweet tales of romance.

Delia lives in East Texas with her husband Johnny. She’s a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and author of inspirational romance…with a finger or two immersed in the design pool, where she creates beautiful marketing material for other authors.

Delia treasures her role as child of the King and heir to the throne of God. She’s got a “thing” for Dr. Pepper and loves hearing from readers.

Great interview! Loved learning more about the characters in Spring Raine, and the double blessing that it is the first of a series! Will the series feature the same characters, or is it a location thing with differing characters and always miss Angie? I can't wait!

About Me

Life is beautiful!
I love discovering the various reasons why life is beautiful each and every day as I live and grow up in my walk (faith journey) with Jesus Christ.
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